CFN – Bob Gainey can’t be a happy camper this morning. The team that he crafted came out of the All Star break with just a glimmer of hope. Those horns in the background were not the sounds of victory, but of the death of the Habs 2011/12 NHL season.
With two horrible losses out of the gate the team’s Play Off dreams are smashed on the rocks and now the exiting of some veterans will begin. Hal Gill, gone. Travis Moen; probably gone. Andrei Kostitsyn, probably gone too,and maybe, just maybe, Pierre Gauthier will be gone too.
Mr. Gainey? Only Geoff Molson can answer that question; but today he can’t be terribly happy with his team. The good news is that there are a bunch of games to let the younguns get some valuable experience. Louis Leblanc should be getting his chance to learn on the job.
Montreal’s biggest question mark is Carey Price. Goalies are funny creatures. Mr. Price’s value is very very high right now. Media reports are suggesting a long term $7M per year contract. I think that would be tragic for this team. Almost as tragic as trading for Scott Gomez who most likely will be given another chance next year to redeem himself.
There’s plenty for Montreal fans to be chewing on. A big concern for me is finding a way to make Tomas Plekanec happy. He really needs a line to play on for his own growth and success and he’s really earned it watching the fiasco that this season has been.
Montreal managed to blow a lead against New Jersey and lose 5-3 on only 22 shots by the Devils. That kind of loss can’t be acceptable in Montreal.
In other NHL scores Sam Gagner had the game of his career notching 8 points and a + 6 on the night as Edmonton stunned Chicago 8-4.
Carolina shut out Boston 3-0; Philly defeated Nashville 4-1; the Jets nipped Tampa 2-1; Minnesota shut out Colorado 1-0; Detroit 4 Vancouver 3 in the shoot out, and San Jose defeated Dallas 5-2.
What do you think Hockey Fans? Is it full rebuild or tinker time for the Habs? You can post your comments below.
Maybe the Canadians should move to Hamilton. The fans there would only be bike gangs and steel workers. Not nearly as scary as the current fan base.